Risk factors associated with multiple hospital readmissions.

The percentage of multiple hospital readmissions averages between 21% and 27% in the United States today. The reasons for this readmission rate and, more important, how readmissions can be prevented, are not clear. In this integrative review we examine 13 research articles in an attempt to identify specific factors leading to the readmission of medical patients. Risk factors continually researched throughout the articles were dependence, patient age, stage of illness, length of hospital stay, prior hospitalization, care after discharge, and mobility status. Congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were the medical conditions responsible for most readmissions. No single factor was found to universally predict readmission, although several items were found to be statistically significant.